A studentship is available in the AdvancedInterfaces Group within the School of Computer Science at TheUniversity of Manchester in the area of computer graphics and vision.The development of computer-generated humans that are indistinguishablefrom real humans is one of the most challenging tasks in computeranimation. One of the main difficulties is animating the face duringspeech since humans are highly sensitive to facial behaviour and canvery easily identify flaws in synthetic facial animation. The aim ofthis project is to investigate the synthesis of a video-realistic,interactive synthetic agent that exhibits human-like behaviour indirect response to speech and facial gesture input in order tocommunicate with people in a natural and intelligent manner. This willinvolve research in the areas of face tracking and gesture recognition,speech recognition and synthesis as well as computer graphics andanimation. For more information please contact Dr Aphrodite Galata (a.galata@cs.man.ac.uk).

Who can apply?

Thisstudentship is available to all UK/EU applicants. Candidates for thestudentship should have at least an upper second-class honours degree(or equivalent) in Computer Science or a related subject (e.g.mathematics, electronic engineering, physics or mathematical science).Training in areas specific to the project will be provided asappropriate.

When is the Grant available?

Theofficial start date is October 2006. However it may be possible tostart the project earlier or later than this depending on thecandidate`s circumstances.

What does the studentship pay for?

Thestudentship covers tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for the three yearsof the PhD programme (£3200 for 2005/06) and includes an annualmaintenance grant at enhanced EPSRC rates (£12,500 for 2005/06). Fundsare also available within the project to purchase computing equipmentand travel to conferences throughout the period of PhD study. Studentsare encouraged to attend and submit papers to conferences and topublish their results in academic journals. PhD students within theschool typically share an office with three or four people. Thedepartment also provides opportunities for research students tosupplement their income by undertaking laboratory demonstrating andother teaching support work.

The school runs several trainingmodules which are specifically aimed at research students. TheUniversity also provides training, and it is possible for researchstudents to take modules on the MSc in Advanced Computer Science.

How to apply

The principal investigator is Dr Aphrodite Galata . Informal enquiries may be made to her by email (a.galata@cs.man.ac.uk) or phone +44 (0)161 275 6146.

Details of how to apply for this post are available online at http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/Study_subweb/Postgrad/fees_and_funding.asp(including an online copy of the application form). Alternatively youcan contact the Postgraduate Secretary for an information pack andapplication form at:

The Postgraduate Admissions Secretary
School of Computer Science
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)161 275 6181
Fax: +44 (0)161 275 6204
Email: pg-compsci@manchester.ac.uk

Pleaseensure that you mark clearly on your application form under the"Proposed Area of Research" section that you are applying for "PhDStudentship in Computer Vision and Graphics" with the principalinvestigator as Dr Aphrodite Galata, otherwise your application may notbeconsidered for this project.

Source: http://aig.cs.man.ac.uk/opportunities/aphrodite.php